Ipswich Town will be back playing Championship football next season. Mark Heath takes a look at which of the current squad could be stars at that level...

Right, before we get into this, a little bit of housekeeping. Some of these picks are obvious, because of what we've just seen happen. 

I'm not just going to list all the stats leaders from last season though, as tempting as that is.

Rather, this will be a happy combination of the hopefully nailed-on and some more left-field or long range picks.

These aren't in any particular order either. Apart from the first one... 

East Anglian Daily Times: Nathan Broadhead is my top pick for stardomNathan Broadhead is my top pick for stardom (Image: Steve Waller)

Nathan Broadhead

Of all Town's current players, the one I'm giving my 'Most likely to succeed in the Championship' award to is Broadhead.

I simply cannot wait to see him attack the second tier. Was a revelation after signing from Everton for £1.5m in January, scoring eight goals and adding six assists, while averaging a direct goal involvement every 95 minutes.

He's 25 - a great age - and further buoyed by his involvement with the Welsh national side.

Played 22 games for a bad Wigan team in the Championship before arriving at Town and still scored five goals, ending the season as the Latics' second-top scorer.

In an ambitious Town team, he's going to excel. I'm predicting a double double next season (double figure goals and assists) and lots of chat about the Premier League and his skyrocketing value. 

East Anglian Daily Times: Skipper Sam Morsy will be key again in the ChampionshipSkipper Sam Morsy will be key again in the Championship (Image: PA)

Sam Morsy

This one is a no-brainer too, but it doesn't make it any less exciting. Super skipper Sam was the driving force behind Town's promotion, and will be just as important at the next level.

It's a level he knows well too, having already made 140 Championship starts at Wigan, Barnsley and Middlesbrough.

Scored four goals and added six assists last season, numbers I expect him to at least match next term - and I'd like to see more goals from him, if I'm honest.

A leader on and off the pitch, Morsy will be talked about as one of the best midfielders in the Championship come the end of next season.  

East Anglian Daily Times: Christian Walton will be one of the best keepers in the ChampionshipChristian Walton will be one of the best keepers in the Championship (Image: Ross Halls)

Christian Walton

Ok, the final of the obvious trio to kick us off. Walton won the League One golden glove last campaign, starting all 46 league games and keeping clean sheets in half of them.

The 27-year-old won't just be a decent keeper in the Championship, he'll be one of the best.

The Cornish stopper was a regular for Paul Cook’s Wigan when they finished 18th in the Championship in 2018/19 and again for Tony Mowbray’s Blackburn when they finished 11th in the Championship in 2019/20. 

Only a freak pre-season injury prevented him being Brighton’s starting keeper in the Premier League after that. 

He knows this level and is in the form of his life. Will be huge for Town next season.

East Anglian Daily Times: Kyle Edwards is a real X-factorKyle Edwards is a real X-factor (Image: Steve Waller)

Kyle Edwards

Right, let's chuck a big shout in here. Edwards has never really been able to establish himself as anything more than a fringe player for Town...yet.

The 25-year-old played 32 games last season - only three of which were starts - and contributed three goals and two assists.

But for me he remains Town's one true X-factor - a player who can do things others simply can't.

Remember when we were all asking how on earth Town had signed him in League One? Well, he's adding more consistency to his game now, while keeping the razzle dazzle.

He's got Championship experience too, having made 12 starts and 20 sub appearances with West Brom in 2019/20, helping them reach the Premier League.

Unlikely to begin the campaign in the starting XI, but I can see him blossoming for the Blues next season and going onto star status in the future.

East Anglian Daily Times: Conor Chaplin was magnificent last season - and has a point to prove in the ChampionshipConor Chaplin was magnificent last season - and has a point to prove in the Championship (Image: Steve Waller)

Conor Chaplin

Wow, what a call Heath. A man who's just scored 29 goals as a number 10 in League One might be decent in the Championship? Groundbreaking stuff.

I hear you, but it doesn't make it any less true. And aside from his form, age (26) and love of football, my main reasoning is that he has a point to prove.

He was sold by Barnsley after playing a key role in their fifth-place Championship finish of 2020/21 - four goals in 31 starts and three sub appearances.

After that, he vowed: "I don't want to play in League One for longer than I have to."

Well, he's back in the second tier now. Will clearly be a marked man - but then he's proven pretty adept at finding space so far.

He couldn't hit 20 again could he? Could he??

East Anglian Daily Times: Luke Woolfenden has only played three games in the ChampionshipLuke Woolfenden has only played three games in the Championship (Image: PA)

Luke Woolfenden

He may have been a key part of promotion, but next season will be a new experience for the Woolf.

He's only played three games in the Championship so far, the last coming as a sub in August 2018 under Paul Hurst, before he headed out for a successful loan at Swindon.

But, unlike the rejuvenated Cameron Burgess - I can't shake those Barrow away cup nightmares - I have no fears about Woolfenden at the next level.

He's calm and collected - if sometimes a bit too laid back - comfortable on the ball and happy to mix it up physically if required.

I think he'll take his game up a notch next season. 

East Anglian Daily Times: Leif Davis was one of the leading creators in Europe last seasonLeif Davis was one of the leading creators in Europe last season (Image: PAGEPIX LTD 07976935738)

Leif Davis

Here we go again Heath, another bold pick - the guy who just led League One in assists and was rubbing shoulders with Lionel Messi and Kevin De Bruyne as a creator.

Don't forget though, last season was Davis' first as a regular starter in senior football - and he smashed it.

I see no reason why the athletic, dangerous Davis can't excel again at the next level - and, remember, he's already played in the Championship and Premier League.

That £1.5m fee looks like a bargain now. Will surely follow in the footsteps of Aaron Cresswell and Tyrone Mings as Town left backs to go onto Premier League stardom - and hopefully that will be with the Blues.

East Anglian Daily Times: Panutche Camara is perhaps the forgotten man at TownPanutche Camara is perhaps the forgotten man at Town (Image: Ross Halls)

Panutche Camara

The forgotten man. Literally - I forgot all about Camara when discussing Town's overly-stocked midfield recently.

And I bet a fair few others have too, writing him off as an injury bust before he's really even had a chance at the Blues.

There's a reason that snatching Camara from Plymouth on summer deadline day last season was seen as such a coup though, and when fully fit I think he could become a real force.

Camara will run all day long and can operate as a holding midfielder, a box-to-box player and also as a No.10.

That's the versatility and dynamism which Kieran McKenna loves. Camara may end up going out on loan for all or part of next season, but further down the line I can see him becoming a stand-out.

East Anglian Daily Times: Greg Leigh has always impressed when called uponGreg Leigh has always impressed when called upon (Image: Steve Waller)

Greg Leigh

My final pick is another more unlikely/left-field choice. Leigh will go into next season as the back up to nailed-on starter Leif Davis at left back, after all.

But I love Leigh - he's got that great combo of next-level athleticism and just the right amount of swagger which makes him a potential star in my book.

Injuries hampered him last season, but he's still only 28 and has real pedigree - Manchester City-schooling, played in both the Scottish Premier League and the Dutch Eredivisie already.

It's probably the longest shot of any on this list, but I just have a feeling that Leigh could make a serious breakthrough in the next couple of years.